Milpitas childcare facility's license is suspended

by Shannon Barry, Milpitas Post

Posted:
05/08/2013 02:20:42 PM PDT

Updated:
05/08/2013 02:30:31 PM PDT

After nearly 20 years of providing services in Milpitas, the California Department of Social Services has suspended the childcare license of Stephanie Newbrough and intends to revoke it, an agency spokesman said this week.

"This action is taken under sections 1596.885 and 1596.886 of the California Health and Safety Code, to protect the health and safety of the children in care," a document on the facility's door at 2216 Stratford Drive reads.

The suspension of the family childcare home resulted from an unannounced visit and investigation of allegations that, "On multiple occasions including April 25, 2013, respondent kept child No. 1 restrained in a car seat inside a dark closet in an off-limits area of the facility."

"In the licensing code, the child has a right to certain things," Michael Weston, deputy director of public affairs and outreach programs for the California Department of Social Services, said Monday, explaining many of these fall under the broader term "personal rights."

The complaint investigation report claims that such rights were violated.

This was allegedly discovered on April 25 when Licensing Program Analyst Carla Baldwin "immediately inspected a room in the upstairs area of the home, including the closet in that room," the complaint investigation report reads. "During the inspection of the room, LPA observed an infant boy alone, strapped in a car seat, facing the back closet wall.

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Kathi Mowers-Moore, who works in the office of the deputy director for the department's Community Care Licensing Division, issued a temporary suspension order forbidding Newbrough from accepting children for care after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, according to the document provided by the agency.

"She has 15 days from the date of this being served, so that would be April 30, to file for an appeal," Weston said.

If she does, he explained, the order will remain in effect until the department issues a final decision on the matters contained in the accusation or 30 days after the department receives a proposed decision, whichever is sooner.

"Licensee was also issued a citation for failing to obtain/associate criminal record clearance for staff," the facility evaluation report reads. "Civil penalties in the amount of $500 are being assessed."

In addition to requiring Newbrough post the written notice in a place readily visible to the parents or guardians for 30 consecutive days, it was also mailed to all those receiving care at the home facility, as required by law.

Multiple phone calls to the childcare facility went to voicemail this week, and no one answered the door during a site visit from the Milpitas Post.

Newbrough was initially licensed by the department to operate a family childcare home in April 1995.

"Wherefore, complainant requests that respondent Stephanie Newbrough's license to operate a family child care home be revoked and respondent Stephanie Newbrough be prohibited for the remainder of respondent's life, from employment in, presence in and contact with clients of any facility licensed by the department and from being a member of the board of directors, an executive director, or an officer of a licensee of any facility licensed by the department," the legal report concludes.

An online search found that Newbrough is also the founder and president of online service Prince and Princess Sitters (pandpsitters.com), a private babysitting and nanny placement agency which personally interviews and screens candidates.

There are a number of positive client testimonials about the service, including one posted by Sarah Fox, of San Jose, from 2010.

"I appreciate the professionalism and thoroughness provided by both Stephanie and Steve," it reads. "ÉI feel secure leaving my children with the nanny they provided and I am a very protective mother! I would highly recommend them and am very happy with their service."

Contact Shannon Barry at sbarry@themilpitaspost.com or 408-262-2454. Visit us on our social media sites at facebook.com/milpitaspost and twitter.com/milpitaspost.